Maplewood Stationery Store Owner, Duck Race Founder Dies: Services This Week

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — He grew up in Maplewood and worked on the stock exchange, but he also helped run a stationery store and found the annual Maplewood Duck Races.

Clearly, Maplewood resident Charles Moore "Charlie" Gianni's had an impact on several aspects of town.

He passed away this past Friday, April 28 at the age of 77. Services are this Wednesday and Thursday.

Gianni's obituary notes that his family moved from New York City to Maplewood when he was 5. He was a member of the NYSE for over 30 years.

"After his retirement, he became the owner of The Maplewood Stationers and became a staple of the community," his obituary notes, "joining The Kiwanis Club and co-founding the Annual Maplewood Duck Races. You could not pass the store without saying hello to Charlie, who would offer a cookie for your pup or a lollipop for your child. People would head out for their morning newspaper and wind up staying and enjoying a cup of coffee on the bench talking (arguing) about sports, politics or the weather."

He was preceded in death by high school sweetheart Eleanor and survived by his children.

Services will be Wednesday from 4-8 pm., and funeral Thursday.

Read more about Gianni here.